sprocket

noun

sprock·​et ˈsprä-kət 

1

: a toothed wheel whose teeth engage the links of a chain

2

: a cylinder with teeth around the circumference at either end that project through perforations in something (such as movie film) to move it through a mechanism (such as a projector)

Examples of sprocket in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Forget about the need to remember to oil a chain, constantly check for chain sag, look for wear, and replace sprockets when changing the chain. —William Roberson, Forbes.com, 31 May 2025

The derailleurs should move the chain easily between sprockets – the front between the chain rings and the rear across the gear cluster or cassette. —George Petras, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2025

But the company states that the compact unit will ship to ebike makers with a wiring harness, cranks, sprockets and a large chainring. —Paul Ridden, New Atlas, 18 Feb. 2025

With their sprockets chained together, the hand and leg cranks spin at the same speed to turn the bike's 45-centimeter-diameter flywheel about 300 revolutions per minute during a typical workout. —IEEE Spectrum, 21 June 2011

Word History

Etymology

origin unknown

First Known Use

1879, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for sprocket

• docket
• locket
• pocket
• rocket
• socket
• pickpocket
• skyrocket

Kids Definition

sprocket

noun

sprock·​et ˈspräk-ət 

1

: one of many points that stick up on the rim of a wheel shaped so as to fit into the links of a chain

2

: a wheel having sprockets